Revising the Locations of Several Cities in the Western Region of the Iranian Plateau

Novotny, Jamie und Firouzi, Sorena (2023): Revising the Locations of Several Cities in the Western Region of the Iranian Plateau. In: State Archives of Assyria Bulletin, Bd. 23: S. 7-30

Abstract

One of the most common methods of determining the location of settlements, mountains, and other geographic features related to historical and archaeological studies is to examine the geographic data included in written documents and to investigate them with the locations of a modern region or area. By using and understanding the contents of these sources, it is possible to draw a reliable map within a general or specific framework. This, in turn, can lead to more nuanced research in historical and archaeological investigations, thus providing a better understanding and description of the cultural and political background of these regions. This is particular true of the western region of the Iranian Plateau, especially during the eighth century BCE. Based on the information provided by royal inscriptions of Sargon II of Assyria (721–705 BCE) and the “Sargon Geography,” a text attributed to Sargon of Agade (ca. 2334–2279 BCE), this article examines the geographic position of a settlement called Karzinû/Karzina in the central Zagros and an adjacent settlement called Ḫandakiyaš. New modern locations are proposed for both places. Fur-thermore, based on Neo-Assyrian inscriptions, especially those from the reign of Tiglath-pileser III (744–727 BE), it appears that there were two cities with the name Bīt-Ištar, rather than just one. The proposed locations of both cities are discussed. Finally, the article examines Bīt-Bagaya and its po-sition within the central Zagros.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• Publikationsform: Publisher's Version
• Keywords: Assyria, Bīt-Bagaya; Bīt-Ištar; Ḫandakiyaš; Ḫarḫar; Iranian Plateau; Karzinû; Parsua; royal inscriptions; Sargon II; Tiglath-pileser III; Zagros
• Fakultät: Geschichts- und Kunstwissenschaften > Historisches Seminar > Alte Geschichte ; Kulturwissenschaften > Department für Kulturwissenschaften und Altertumskunde > Assyriologie und Hethitologie ; Kulturwissenschaften > Department für Kulturwissenschaften und Altertumskunde > Naher und Mittlerer Osten
• Themengebiete: 900 Geschichte und Geografie > 900 Geschichte ; 900 Geschichte und Geografie > 930 Geschichte des Altertums (bis ca. 499), Archäologie
• ISSN: 1120-4699
• Sprache: Englisch